Written by: Chuck Hayden:
After spending most of the summer in New England and the Atlantic Provinces of Canada, I started my trek west and south for the winter months.
On this leg of my journey, I met up with my buddy Tim and his super dog, Keegan. We’ve traveled together several times, and we always have a great time exploring. We also share a passion for photography and enjoy boondocking, which makes traveling together even more enjoyable.
We spent more than a month exploring Wyoming and Idaho—two incredible states for both boondocking and photography.
Yellowstone National Park
Our first big stop was Yellowstone National Park, the granddaddy of all U.S. national parks. We decided to stay at a campground inside Yellowstone to make getting around the park a little easier. Bridge Bay Campground provided a great base camp for exploring the area.
Yellowstone certainly didn’t disappoint. The incredible scenery and abundance of wildlife made for several unforgettable days. We were able to capture photographs of bison, mountain goats, pronghorns, elk, moose, and so many other beautiful animals. It was awesome seeing these magnificent creatures living freely in such a wonderful place.
We could have stayed for a month and never gotten bored. We both agreed that we’d have to return in the spring to see even more of Yellowstone’s wildlife.
The views and landscapes throughout Yellowstone were equally amazing. If we had stopped at every overlook and viewpoint, we probably would have been there for months!
Of course, we felt obligated to visit Old Faithful while we were there, and I’m so glad we did. Just before the geyser erupted, three bison wandered in front of it and then made their way down the river. It was an amazing sight and one of those unexpected moments that makes traveling so memorable.
Boondocking Along the River
After leaving Yellowstone, we took a side trip to Montana where we found a great boondocking spot along the Madison River. The winds were blowing hard, and this location provided some much-needed relief. We were only a few feet from the riverbank, and the sound of the flowing water made for a wonderful night of sleep.
Before we left the next morning, three bald eagles came soaring along the riverbanks, no doubt searching for their morning fish breakfast. I’m always amazed by the beauty and grace of these majestic birds.
After packing up, we headed toward Grand Teton National Park for a few more days of exploring.
Grand Teton National Park
I had visited Grand Teton previously but hadn’t spent much time there. I’m glad we had several days this time to really take in all its beauty.
The Teton Mountain Range is absolutely stunning. I could sit and look at those mountains for hours, simply admiring them. If you’ve never been there before, you definitely need to add it to your travel plans. It’s difficult to put into words the incredible beauty of the mountains and the surrounding landscape.
While we were there, we visited several special places both inside and outside the park.
One of our stops was the Mormon Row Historic District, located just outside the park. The area was settled by Thomas Moulton around 1908, and several historic structures are still standing today, including the famous Moulton Barn.
Apparently, the Moulton Barn is one of the most photographed barns in North America. With the majestic Teton Mountains rising dramatically behind it, it’s easy to understand why. The combination makes for an incredible photograph.
Craters of the Moon
Moving into Idaho, our first stop was Craters of the Moon National Monument.
As the name suggests, this place really is out of this world. The area was shaped by volcanic activity over thousands of years, and the Craters of the Moon lava field covers about 618 square miles, making it a fascinating and incredibly unique place to explore
You can drive your Pleasure-Way around the park loop and stop at various locations along the way to hike and explore. There are several cinder cones where you can peer down into the earth where molten lava once flowed. You can also hike out to several caves.
These caves were once lava tubes—underground tunnels created by flowing lava that carried molten rock away from the volcanic areas. Exploring them gives you an amazing glimpse into the geological forces that shaped this remarkable landscape.
Craters of the Moon is definitely another place to add to your travel bucket list.
The Sawtooth Mountains
Our next stop in Idaho was the Sawtooth Mountain Range, and this was another one of those places that made us stop and appreciate just how beautiful this country can be.
The Sawtooths are an incredible landscape of rugged mountain peaks, deep valleys, alpine lakes, and wide-open wilderness. After spending so much time exploring Yellowstone and Grand Teton, we wondered if another mountain range could live up to what we had already experienced. The Sawtooths certainly held their own.
The scenery seemed to change around every corner. Jagged peaks rose dramatically above the landscape, and the combination of mountains, forests, streams, and open spaces provided plenty of opportunities for photography. For someone who enjoys taking photographs, places like this are almost overwhelming because there are so many possibilities. You find yourself looking in every direction wondering where to point the camera next.
One of the things I really enjoyed about the Sawtooths was the feeling of remoteness. There is something special about getting away from the crowds, finding a quiet place to spend the night, and waking up surrounded by mountains and nature. That is one of the reasons I enjoy boondocking so much. It allows you to experience these places at a slower pace and, at times, have them almost entirely to yourself.
Tim and I spent our time exploring the area, taking photographs, and enjoying the scenery. As usual, Keegan was happy just being along for the adventure. Having a good travel companion—and a great dog—makes these experiences even better. I may need to look into adopting one.
The Sawtooths were another reminder that you don’t necessarily have to be doing something extraordinary to have an extraordinary experience. Sometimes it’s simply sitting outside with a cup of coffee, listening to the sounds of nature, looking at the mountains, and realizing how fortunate you are to be there.
Like Yellowstone and Grand Teton, the Sawtooths are a place where you could easily spend weeks exploring and still feel like you had only scratched the surface. There are countless trails, lakes, viewpoints, and backcountry areas waiting to be discovered.
After spending time taking in the beauty of the Sawtooths, it was time to continue our journey. We packed up and headed south into Utah, knowing that there were still plenty of adventures ahead.
But that adventure is for another time.